Injury Update: Charles Woodson Ruled Out of Bears Game

The Packers cornerback is still not ready to return from a broken collarbone despite practicing last week.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson will not play against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, a game in which the Packers can clinch the NFC North division title with a victory.

"Charles Woodson's injury is just where we are," said head coach Mike McCarthy on Wednesday. "We're very close. It's the judgement of our medical staff, particularly Dr. (Patrick) McKenzie. He does not feel it's in Charles' best interest to play in this game. Trust me, that's not easy because been preparing himself."

It appeared as if Woodson would return in time for the Bears game last week when he practiced last week for the first time since Week 7 when he originally broke his collarbone.

Although the Packers acknowledged Woodson would not play against the Lions this past Sunday, McCarthy expressed a desire for Woodson to practice in pads last week seeing as it would be a couple weeks until the team would practice with pads again.

Woodson's practice time was classified as "limited" last week, but when no setbacks were reported, it seemed like the veteran defensive back was on the precipice of returning to action.

When Woodson was ruled out of Sunday's Bears game on the first day of practice this week, it came as somewhat of a surprise that the Packers came to such a decision so quickly. Usually with players who are close to returning, they'll monitor the situation throughout the week before making a decision.

According to McCarthy, Woodson hasn't suffered a setback, and he'll continue his rehab. The Packers coach also said that Woodson is ready to return from a conditioning standpoint.

In the meantime, Casey Hayward will continue to play in Woodson's place at the slot cornerback position in the nickel and dime packaages while M.D. Jennings and Jerron McMillian will fill in for Woodson at safety in the team's base 3-4 defense.

In other injury news, linebacker Clay Matthews, offensive lineman T.J. Lang and defensive lineman Mike Neal all returned to practice on a limited basis on Wednesday, which is a good sign that they'll be available for the Bears game, even though no official determination has been made.

Less encouraging is the status of wide receiver Jordy Nelson, defensive lineman C.J. Wilson and running back James Starks, none of whom practiced on Wednesday. McCarthy said Nelson was a "long shot" to play on Sunday, but he was not ruled out.

Cornerback Davon House also did not practice due to illness.

0 points
 

Comments (13)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
California Cheesehead's picture

December 12, 2012 at 06:33 pm

I'd rather have the Claymaker back and miss Woodson another week. At this point I'm confident in our secondary without Wood, but we sorely miss Clay. We'll be hell on wheels when all our boys are back.

0 points
0
0
irishbadger's picture

December 12, 2012 at 07:15 pm

To bad Charles is realllly in Cutler's head.

We remember the quote, "Same old Jay". After the first meeting this year.

0 points
0
0
keeley2's picture

December 12, 2012 at 08:13 pm

Can't help but think that save for Haywards exceptional play the past few weeks that Woodson would be trotting out there this weekend. Nice problem to have for sure.

0 points
0
0
KurtMc's picture

December 12, 2012 at 08:54 pm

Missing CJ is a blow. D line is really thin. These guys need a break in the 4th qtr. Ps, I am not counting Neàl either, a major disappointment.

0 points
0
0
FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

December 12, 2012 at 09:01 pm

Meh, I don't know I really want to mess with the secondary anyway. Great to hear Clay, TJ and Neal practiced, even if they're out, they're close. I bet we don't see Jordy until the playoffs, just a hunch.

GBP 4 LIFE

0 points
0
0
redlights's picture

December 13, 2012 at 08:33 am

Just one more game for the young DB's to be better prepared for next year without Woodson. Hope we win the Super Bowl so he can retire; otherwise, he'll be a Lion next year.

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

December 13, 2012 at 09:00 am

I get the Lion reference on some levels, but really, if Woodson's motivation to return is a shot at another Super Bowl, why on earth would he go to the Lions? The truth is, I don't think any team with a strong shot at the Super Bowl is likely to pick him up. So either he is playing for the Packers at a reduced salary, or he will be out of football.

0 points
0
0
redlights's picture

December 13, 2012 at 09:22 am

One word. Leadership. Young players can get an extra edge and/or be kept in line by a veteran that is above reproach.

0 points
0
0
cheesy4's picture

December 13, 2012 at 09:11 am

Is Jay Cutler going to play Sunday?

0 points
0
0
Vrog's picture

December 13, 2012 at 09:35 am

Hopefully

0 points
0
0
Derek's picture

December 13, 2012 at 09:56 am

I second that. I love watching Cutler get beat up and then pout

0 points
0
0
Starry Barts's picture

December 13, 2012 at 11:21 am

I get the feeling they're keeping Woodson out because he's now behind the young guys on the depth chart, and it's too big of a game to deal with the drama and experiment of either putting him in or keeping him on the bench. Easier to see where exactly in the pecking order Wood'll fall against the Titans than against the Bears with the division on the line.

0 points
0
0
CSS's picture

December 13, 2012 at 11:27 am

Feels to me like McCarthy is prioritizing Woodson's health for a stretch run. Despite the positive early returns from the secondary youth movement you'll need Woodson and his veteran presence for the playoffs. Rookies and 2nd year guys have either no playoff experience, or experience with a brutal loss at home. They're going to get offensive looks they haven't seen before and a healthy Woodson is critical to the back 7 at that time.

0 points
0
0